Burger King created the Whopper, which James McLamore and David Edgerton introduced in 1957.
The Whopper was developed as a larger, more substantial hamburger for Burger King’s menu. McLamore and Edgerton were the company’s co-founders, and the sandwich became the chain’s best-known product. Its traditional build includes a beef patty, sesame-seed bun, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and mayonnaise or another sauce.
The Whopper’s launch helped Burger King compete in the expanding postwar fast-food market. Burger King has changed ingredients and promotional versions over time, but the name has remained tied to the chain. It should not be confused with the Big Mac, which McDonald’s introduced nationally a decade later.